Red Handed(52)

The least she could do was provide him some pleasure before he killed her.





Chapter Twenty


THANK GOODNESS THE hallways were empty as Danielle headed upstairs. A few members congregated in the den, but Master Michael and Gracie had obviously cleared the area outside the gallery after Cole’s breakdown.

Cole’s refusal to bring Danielle to his residence after making love to her had left her feeling confused. What she felt for him was no longer a simple crush based on some chemical attraction. In only a few days, she’d grown to care for him. It made what she had to do that much harder. But even if she was here under different circumstances, the issue remained that he may have framed her father or at least let him take the fall for the crimes. Since she’d been here, he’d had plenty of chances to tell her about the box and the account. The fact that he hadn’t told her she wasn’t the only one keeping secrets.

The dungeon’s music vibrated under her feet, and what she now recognized as the scent of sex hit her nose. The club would still be open for a few hours, and for a moment, she considered going up to check out the fantasy rooms. She wanted to lose herself in someone else’s life like she did when she read a book. But instead, she let her feet take her upstairs to her room.

Danielle unlocked her door, stepped inside, and flipped on the lights.

A note rested on her pillow.

Her heart raced as she scanned the room for anything else that was out of place. Spotting nothing, she checked inside the closet, in the bathroom, and under her bed to ensure no one was hiding. Once she was satisfied she was alone, she picked up the typewritten note.

She lifted her nose to the paper. Someone had sprayed her perfume on it.

For some reason, it felt like an even greater violation than having her room broken into.

Her hands trembled as she read the note. There’s always a risk to love, and now you have two lives to save. You have twenty-four hours to get us the account information or not only will you lose your stepmother, we’ll kill your lover, Cole DeMarco. Remember, we have eyes and ears everywhere at Benediction. If you tell anyone about this, they’ll both die.

How did they know Cole and she had become lovers tonight? Her stomach sank. Cole hadn’t turned off the video cameras inside the gallery. Any of the dungeon monitors viewing the screens would have witnessed their lovemaking. As she’d suspected, that meant whoever was working with the kidnappers was someone Cole trusted completely.

What was she going to do now that he still wouldn’t bring her to his residence? She’d have to drug him while they were in the club, steal his keys, and hope the dungeon monitors sitting in the screening room wouldn’t stop her from going upstairs. It was a terrible plan, but what other choice did she have?

She startled as her cell phone blared.

The note wasn’t enough for them? They had to make certain she was thoroughly threatened?

She checked the cell’s screen and sighed in relief at the sight of Roman’s phone number. She answered, trying to sound relaxed. “Roman. How are you?”

“I’m good. Listen, I’ve been trying to get ahold of Mother for the last couple of days. Have you seen her?”

“No, I’ve been out of the house.” She cringed. No way would he believe that. He knew her better than anyone.

Luckily, he didn’t seem to notice. “I’m worried. She missed our weekly phone call, and that’s not like her.”

She waved her hand even though he couldn’t see her. “Maybe she’s busy planning one of her fundraisers. You know how she gets. I’m sure she’ll get around to calling you when she gets a free moment.”

“I suppose. When she gets home, will you tell her to phone me to put my mind at ease?”

Her throat grew thick. “I . . . ”

“Danielle, what are you not saying? And don’t lie to me.”

She buried her face in her hand. She’d have to come clean, at least enough to explain why she hadn’t seen Tasha. “I’m not at home.”

“You mean right now?”

She blew out a breath, knowing what her words would do to Roman. “Right now and . . . I’m in Michigan.”

“Michigan?” His voice rose. “What the hell for?” He sighed when she didn’t answer. “Tell me you’re not trying to prove Cole DeMarco framed your father.”

Of course that’s what he believed. How many nights had she spent with Roman, cursing Cole and vowing revenge against him? Roman had finally convinced her that without evidence, she had to move on with her life.

Telling Roman about his mother would put them all in danger. “I have to do this. I have no choice.”